A small plane crash in Virginia has taken the lives of three Western New York natives. The four-seat Mooney aircraft clipped treetops, flipped over and crashed as the pilot attempted to land at an airport near Norfolk, Virginia, early Wednesday morning killing the pilot and his two passengers. There were reports of fog in the area. The pilot is identified as Buffalo native Michael Buxton. Well-known local musician 62-year-old Ted Reinhardt of the City of Tonawanda, and 60-year-old William Shaver of Holland were also killed in the crash. The three were reportedly returning from a trip to the Florida Keys.
Reinhardt, a successful jazz/fusion drummer, was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame 30-years ago in 1985. There is an outpouring of sympathy on Facebook from many members of the local music community. Reinhardt's Facebook page is filled with on-line memorials to the musician.
Reinhardt played in numerous bands including Gamalon and Spyro Gyra. Reinhardt was currently playing Willy & the Reinhardts, Rushour and a re-formed Gamalon. He was a graduate of Kenmore East High School. http://youtu.be/9JfkPM716Xg
Buxton was a 1975 graduate of Canisius College. The school issued the following statement:
"The Canisius College community mourns the loss of Michael Buxton from the Class of 1975. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Buxton and his family and the other victims and their loved ones."